Waterproof watchcase



Filed Jan. 6, 1950 FIG. 2

R m mm V M NR E v &

HENRI ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 9, 1952 WATERPROOF WATCHOASE Henri Edmond Vermot, Lancaster, Pa., assignor to Hamilton Watch Company, Lancaster, Pa.

Application January 6, 1950, Serial No. 137,122

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a watchcase sealed against the entrance of moisture and dirt.

The object of the present invention is to provide a watchcase adapted to easily receive the watch movement and through the medium of a sealing ring secure the crystal so as to prevent the entrance of moisture or dust.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a case having an integral back, and formed with a, movement supporting internal rim and an upstanding collar to receive and support a bezel for holding and looking a gasket sealing crystal in place.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a crown adapted to slide within a sleeve and provided with packing rings to insure a sealed fit between said sleeve and said crown.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention resides in the novel arrangement and combination of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein described may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is shown in the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view.

Figure 2 is a similar view taken at right angles to Figure 1 and showing the construction of the crown.

Referring particularly to the drawing, 5 represents the movement case which has an integral back 6 and lugs I to receive the ends of the strap (not shown). The case is formed with an annular flange 8 to support the movement 9 and an upstanding annular rim I0.

The movements forms no particular part of this invention and is shown here merely in outline form and is provided with the usual hour and minute hands II and I2 respectively and a dial I3.

Adjacent to the upstanding rim I {I is an annular shoulder I 4 to receive and seat a bezel I5 which engages and firmly holds in place a crystal I6. Between the crystal I6 and the movement is a reflector H which is seated on the dial I3 and underlies the crystal at I8.

The scaling is accomplished by means of a rubber gasket I9 which engages a reduced portion 20 of the crystal and the interior side wall of the upstanding rim Ill. The reduced portion 20 of the crystal forms a shoulder 2| which coacts with a tongue 22 of the bezel I5. These parts are ground to very close tolerance to provide an exact and sealingfit, the bezel ring being made slightly-"smaller than the upstanding rim ID to provide a slight -pressure against the sealing gasket I9 when snapped into place.

Referring particularly to Figure 2, the crown 23 has an integral cylindrical extension 24 which is grooved annularly to receive packing rings 25. A sleeve 26 which is soldered to the case 5 is accurately machined that a very tight fit is provided between the cylindrical extension 24 of the crown 23 and said sleeve. The ordinary divided winding stem 2'! is threaded into the crown.

In assembling the watch, the movement is placed in the case resting on the annular flange 8. The reflector ring I! is then placed in position. The bezel is fitted to the crystal and the rubber ring snapped in position, shown in Figure l, holding the bezel in position. The entire unit is then snapped in place, the bezel I5 fitting over the upstanding rim I0 and seating on the annular shoulder IA. The parts interfltting here are machined to very close tolerance and the fit between the crystal and the upstanding rim I0 is a close one. Application of the bezel I5 to the upstanding rim It provides a slight pressure inward on said rim which firmly holds the packing ring against the crystal, the crystal being reeniorced on the inside against any inner giving against the reflector ring II.

Thus it will be seen that there is a compression on the rubber sealing ring I9 and that the watchcase is provided with a simple one piece sealing ring and can be removed at will by simple ordinary tools which are available to the general watchmaker.

What is claimed is:

A sealed watchcase construction comprising a one piece case formed with an annular movement supporting flange and an annular upstanding rim, a crystal, a downwardly depending flange formed on said crystal, said flange having an annular shoulder, a rubber sealing ring carried exteriorly of said crystal flange and below said shoulder, said crystal and ring being fitted inwardly of said upstanding rim, the diameters of said crystal and said rim being such as to compress the rubber sealing ring between the two, a reflector ring UNITED STATES PATENTS bearing against the inside of said crystal flange Number Name Date and underlying said flange and said rubber seal- 1 838 790 schwob Dec 29 1931 ing ring and a bezel fitting around the outside 2392787 Vermot i I: 1946 of said annular case rim, part of said bezel over- 5 2446603 Aug 10 1943 lying said rim and said sealing ring and bearins u against the inner side of said crystal flange, a FOREIGN PATENTS shoulder being formed on said bezel for inter- Number Country Date fitting with the shoulder of said crystal flange, 197,031 Switzerland July 1, 1938 the diameter of said bezel being such as to slightly 10 2 7,234 Switzerland Feb. 2, 1942 force the annular case rim inwardly. 2 020 Switzerland Sept, 16, 1949 HENRI EDMOND VERMOT- 362,229 Great Britain Dec. 3, 1931 REFERENCES CITED The followin'r references are of record in the 15 file of this patent: 

